AMERICAN  CHURCH  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY. 

I I I I I I I I I I'l  l III  III  I I I I I I I I I'l.l'l  I I I I I I I I III  I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I M III  llllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilillll>llllllllllllllllllllllillll>l>ll<ll«ll«l 

Xh^  yWission  iri  Bir&zil. 


ADVENT,  1901. 


Church  Missions  House,  281  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York  City, 


THE  BRAZIL  MISSION. 


The  story  of  the  Brazil  Mission  is  a brave  story  of  strong,  devoted  men 
and  of  remarkable  accomplishment  A little  more  than  a decade  ago  this 
Missionary  enterprise  had  its  conception  in  the  Theological  Seminary  of 
Virginia,  where  alvvays  there  has  been  evinced  so  much  sy^mpathy  and 
enthusiasm  in  the  construction  of  the  real  purpose  of  the  Church,  and  the 
acceptance  of  our  Lord’s  commission.  But  many  difficulties  had  to  be 
overcome  before  any  beginning  could  be  had  in  the  undertaking;  and 
so  great  were  these  difficulties  that  at  times  it  appeared  as  if  the  project 
might  have  to  be  abandoned.  But  God  was  with  those  who  had  it  at 
heart. 

On  May  15,  1889,  the  American  Church  Missionary  Society,  after  long 
deliberation,  determined  to  foster  this  work,  and  directly  accepted  the  Rev. 
James  W.  Morris  and  the  Rev.  Lucien  Lee  Kinsolving  as  candidates  for 
Missionary  work  to  be  inaugurated  in  Brazil.  The  end  of  the  greatest 
difficulties  had  been  reached.  On  September  i,  1H89,  these  two  )’oung 
clergymen,  denying  themselves  many  flattering  offers,  turning  aside  from 
personal  preferences,  and  sacrificing  many  things,  sailed  from  Norfolk,  Va., 
for  the  Far  South.  Much  interest  and  enthusiasm  had  been  excited  in  a 
large  meeting  in  St.  Paul’s,  Richmond,  Va.,  some  time  before  their  depart- 
ure, and  many  kind  wishes  and  blessings  were  showered  upon  them  in 
other  places,  especially  in  Philadelphia,  another  spot  wherein  Missionary 
zeal  and  generosity  characterize  the  people  of  God’s  holy  Church,  and 
where  similar  meetings  had  occurred. 

They  first  went  to  Sao  Paulo,  where  they  remained  awhile,  in  order  to 
acquire  the  Portuguese  language  and  that  experience  necessary  to  a fair 
beginning  of  tlieir  intended  work.  Subsequently,  they  inaugurated  the 
Missionary  work  of  this  Church  in  Brazil,  in  Porto  Alegre,  the  capital  of 
the  State  of  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  and  in  June,  1890,  opened  a chapel  The 
work  prospered,  tlie  people  responded  to  their  Christian  teachings,  oppor- 
tunity developed,  and  the  tidings  sent  back  to  the  home  land  created  a new 
spiritual  zeal  and  Missionary  enthusiasm.  A new  field  had  keen  opened,  a 
a new  call  was  heard,  and  this  Church  looked  into  a larger  future  full  of 
promise. 

In  1891,  the  Rev.  VVm.  Cabell  Brown  and  the  Rev.  John  G.  Meem,  and 
Miss  Mary  Packard,  with  others,  offered  their  lives  and  service  for  the  Bra- 
zil Mission.  The  three  were  accepted,  and  over  many  difficulties,  again 
occurring — the  interference  of  evil  will  thrust  itself — it  was  made  possible 
for  them  to  go.  The  story  of  their  struggles— it  was  largely  their  own 
struggles — to  overcome  these  new  difficulties  was  an  expression  of  their 
determination,  strong  and  pathetic,  and  in  it  may  be  seen  the  sign  of  that 
devotion  and  that  purpose  which  could  not  help  but  succeed  in  God’s 
work.  One  instance  in  particular  is  recalled.  In  the  early  part  of  1891  a 
meeting  was  held  in  Holy  Trinity  Church,  Philadelphia,  and  an  appeal 


3 


made  for  necessary  funds.  It  is  said  that  as  the  prospect  failed  to  become 
as  bright  as  was  hoped  for,  the  Rev.  Mr  Brown  became  absorbed  in  the 
seriousness  of  the  threat  against  their  purpose,  and  his  face  showed  the 
trial  he  was  undergoing.  A gentleman  noticed  the  expression,  and  cor- 
rectly construing  it,  approached  him  and  said,  “ Do  not  be  worried,  you 
will  be  sent.”  It  was  Mr.  Alexander  Brown,  and  a special  check  for  |i,ooo 
was  subsequently  found  in  the  offering.  It  was  Mr.  Brown’s,  and  for  the 
sending  of  this  Missionary.  Would  that  it  could  be  that  now  in  this  time 
of  urgent  need  incident  upon  success,  when  we  are  compelled  to  say  to 
those  at  work  in  that  distant  field,  even  as  God’s  opportunity  asks  satisfac- 
tion, “ Stop,  we  have  no  means  for  the  development  of  the  work,”  some  one 
like  this  generous  man  might  find  himself  called  and  able  to  follow  this 
example,  and  further  the  Lord’s  own  purpose  in  Brazil. 

On  September  12,  1891,  these  three  Missionaries  sailed  for  Brazil  from 
Newport  News,  Va  , arriving  in  due  time  in  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  and  the 
Brazil  Mission  was  established.  The  Convocation  was  organized,  its 
officers  appointed,  and  with  fresh  organic  life  the  Mission  began  its  pro- 
mising work.  From  then  on  its  story  has  been  full  of  action,  encourage- 
ment, and  successful  accomplishment  The  Society  urged  the  generosity 
of  its  friends  toward  this  w'ork,  and  they  met  the  appeal  ; the  men  and 
women  in  the  field  pushed  the  work,  and  won  men  and  rvomen  to  Christ, 
and  fixed  their  work  in  the  esteem  of  the  people.  They  are  doing  this  still  ; 
can  our  constituency  here  be  kept  as  true  and  as  generous,  a splendid  end 
is  before  the  Church  in  Brazil. 

Our  Missionaries  found  Brazil  with  a picturesque  life,  and  a civilization 
not  without  its  fascinations,  but  with  its  ideals  crushed,  and  its  inspira- 
tion stifled  in  the  long  domination  of  neglect  and  shame  under  the  Roman 
Church.  The  civilization  had  suffered  much,  and  the  reaction  had  been 
terrible,  but  it  was  ready  for  a new  inspiration,  and  for  those  ideals  which 
Christ’s  truth  was  bound  to  lift  before  them. 

The  work  spread  and  grew.  In  Rio  Grande  as  in  Porto  Alegre,  in 
Pelotas,  in  Contiacto,  in  Viamao,  Sao  Jose  do  Norte,  Jaguaraoand  in  other 
places  chapels  were  established  or  services  begun  and  continued,  and 
congregations  won.  Rapid  development  followed,  and  confirmations  w^ere 
had.  The  Bishop  of  West  Virginia,  in  charge  of  the  Mission,  visited  Brazil 
in  1893,  and  confirmed  142  candidates.  Catechists  were  admitted,  and 
presently  became  candidates  for  Holy  Orders,  and  at  this  same  time  Bishop 
Peterkin  ordered  from  among  them  four  Deacons.  Of  these  the_  Rev. 
Messrs.  Amerigo  V.  Cabral,  Vicente  Brande  and  Antonio  M.  de  Fraga  are 
still  faithfully  and  successfully  at  work.  Lay  Readers  were  also  appointed, 
and  to-day  Messrs.  Alfredo  C.  Dias,  Jose  L.  Ferreira,  Julio  A.  Coelho  and 
Alberto  D.  Jarrys  are  notably  doing  their  Master’s  service. 

In  1893,  there  were  151  communicants  in  the  Missions  ; in  1897,  the 
Bishop  of  the  Falkland  Islands  confirmed  159  persons,  and  there  were  319 
communicants  ; and  in  1898  there  were  336  communicants,  and  a number 


4 


awaiting  confirmation.  A.t  this  time  the  Mission  contributed  $3,000  toward 
its  own  support. 

The  time  had  now  arrived  when  there  was  urgent  demand  for  the  com- 
pletion of  the  organic  life  so  well  begun,  and  at  the  General  Convention 
of  1898,  held  in  the  city  of  Washington,  the  House  of  Bishops  was  peti- 
tioned to  elect  a Bishop  for  the  Mission.  They  assented,  and  the  Rev. 
Lucien  Lee  Kinsolving,  the  choice  of  his  brother  Missionaries,  was  elected. 
In  St.  Bartholomew'’s  Church,  New  York  City,  on  the  Feast  of  the  Epiphany, 
1899,  he  was  consecrated  by  the  Bishops  of  Kentucky,  Albany  and  West 
Virginia,  assisted  by  the  Bishop  of  Texas,  who  preached  the  sermon,  and 
the  Bishops  of  New  York,  Massachusetts,  and  the  Bishop-Coadjutor  of 
Rhode  Island.  So  was  completed  the  organic  Missionar}'  structure  in 
Brazil. 

After  a short  time  of  appeal  in  the  United  States,  Bishop  Kinsolving 
returned  to  his  field  of  labor,  and  with  him  the  Society  sent  the  Rev.  G.  W. 
Kibble,  ' eacon,  and  Miss  Maria  R.  Pitts,  Deaconess.  New  life  by  this 
notable  event  was  thrown  into  the  Mission,  and  appeals  from  other  places 
in  this  portion  of  Brazil  have  come.  As  one  Mission  develops,  another 
town  asks  the  establishment  of  Church  work  in  its  midst. 

Before  October  ist,  though  compelled,  through  the  long  illness  of  the 
Rer.  Mr.  Morris,  to  do  the  local  work  in  Porto  Alegre,  the  Bishop  confirmed 
123  persons. 

Two  years  ago  in  response  to  pathetic  appeals,  a certain  need  and  the 
evident  strategic  importance  of  the  point  the  Bishop  felt  himself  compelled 
to  establish  a new  .Mission  at  Santa  Maria  da  Bocca  do  Monte,  and  taking 
charge  of  the  station  in  Porto  Alegre  himself,  he  sent  the  Rev.  Mr.  Morris 
to  this  new  work.  The  wisdom  of  the  step  was  soon  seen,  and  the  result 
has  been  more  than  was  expected.  For  some  time  it  was  doubtful  if  this 
new  Mission  could  be  maintained,  but  a communicant  of  the  Diocese  of 
Virginia  has  pledged  himself  to  the  amount  of  $500  a year  in  its  support, 
and  with  that  it  goes  on  toward  a good  future.  Would  that  others  of  like 
generosity  could  be  won  to  the  assistance  of  this  noble  work  of  the  Church. 
Successful  from  the  very  start,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Morris,  now  assisted  by  Mr. 
Julio  de  A.  Coelho,  a candidate  for  Holy  Orders,  has  widened  his  field,  and 
begun  work  in  two  other  places,  Colonia  and  Villa  Rica,  the  latter  the 
county  seat  of  a well-to-do  section,  and  both  so  situated  as  to  reach  a sturdy 
and  substantial  clement  of  the  population. 

Four  Churches  have  been  built  in  Brazil,  and  toward  their  construction 
the  Brazilians  have  contributed  no  little.  The  last  to  be  consecrated,  the 
Church  of  Our  Saviour,  at  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  is  the  pride  of  the  city,  and 
an  exponent  of  the  dignity  and  worth  of  this  Communion  and  its  intention 
which  gives  us  like  pride.  Toward  the  building  of  this  Church  the  Brazil- 
ians contributed  $6,000  themselves. 

The  Rev.  G.  Wallace  Ribble  has  been  ordained  Priest,  making  the  number 
ot  Priests  in  the  Mission  now  seven,  of  whom  three  are  native  Brazilians. 


5 


x\  Theological  Seminary  has  been  established  at  the  city  of  Rio  Grande 
do  Sul,  with  the  Rev.  Wm.  Cabell  Brown,  D.  D.,  as  Dean,  which  now  has 
three  candidates  for  Holy  Orders.  In  addition  to  these  there  are  two 
postulants.  It  is  notable  that  these  gentlemen  together  with  many  of  the 
devoted  supporters  of  the  work  in  the  various  stations  of  the  Missions 
are  citizens  who  represent  the  best  social  element  of  their  place  of  resid- 
ence, And  the  good  work  of  the  Missionaries  has  not  only  given  God’s 
blessing  of  truth  to  the  poor,  but  won  to  the  Church  many  of  those  who 
stand  for  the  integrity  and  refinement  of  society. 

Little  notice  has  been  made  of  the  lay  work  in  this  field,  but  from  the 
verv  start  the  Missionaries  enlisted  both  men  and  women  in  their  \york, 
and  from  that  time  on  these  gentlemen  and  ladies  have  been  potent  factors 
in  the  splendid  accomplishment  of  the  Church  in  Brazil.  Conspicuous 
among  these  lay-workers  have  been  the  devoted  wives  of  the  clergy. 

The  Bible  is  now  distributed,  and  read  of  the  people  in  their  own  lan- 
guage, the  Prayer  Book  has  been  translated  into  Portuguese,  stamped  with 
the  certificate  of  the  Custodian  of  the  Standard  Book  of  Common  Prayer, 
and  given  to  the  people,  and  used  in  their  worship,  and  a Woman’s  Aux- 
iliary has  been  long  since  organized,  sending  its  offering  regularly  to  the 
United  Offering  of  the  institution.  Last  year  the  Mission  contributed  $5,000 
toward  its  own  support. 

Really  a little  more  than  ten  years  has  given  us  a Church  in  Brazil,  small, 
it  is  true,  and  as  yet  largely  dependent  upon  the  generosity  of  the  home 
land,  but  it  is  the  Church,  and  its  work  stands  for  much,  and  promises 
much  more.  (See  appended  statistics.) 

This  is  the  very  brief  story  of  the  Brazil  Mission,  but  in  it  there  is  only  a 
hint  of  that  enthusiasm,  sacrifice  and  devotion  which  fills  it  with  Christian 
pathos,  and  would  touch,  could  it  be  told,  the  sympathy  and  generosity  of 
those  who  in  the  comforts  and  indulgence  of  a home  among  kin  and  friends 
might  read  it. 

The  future  lies  before  it  as  bright  as  God’s  day,  and  its  opportunities 
have  opened  wide  the  gates.  At  the  post  of  duty  one  finds  no  fault,  no  delay, 
no  lethargy.  There  all  is  well.  But  here,  at  the  center  of  resources  and 
supply,  it  is  not  so  fair.  The  freshness  of  the  enterprise  has  worn  off,  men 
and  women  have  been  enthused  along  other  lines  as  well,  and  the  time  of 
neglect  or  forgetfulness  is  seen.  But  surely  with  a new  remembrance  of 
the  work  and  the  workers,  Christ’s  manifest  will,  and  the  success  which  has 
already  come  through  obedience  to  it,  will  again  stir  up  the  hearts  of  faith- 
ful people,  and  the  interest  here  shall  again  be  made  brave  and  strong,  and 
as  generous  as  it  is  way  yonder  in  the  South,  where  our  brethren  labor  in 
God’s  cause.  Twenty  thousand  dollars  should  be  had  this  year  (1901-1902) 
or  there  shall  be  serious  threat,  it  may  be  loss.  God  forefend  that.  God 
persuade  some  of  His  people  to  rise  to  the  issue  and  bless.  And  the 
laborer  shall  have  earned  his  peace. 


TABLE  OF  STATISTICS  OF  THE  BRAZILIAN  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  FOR  YEAR  ENDING  MAY  3l8t,  1«01 


•(8iOJ|ipi  ni) 

Pioij  aqt  mojj 
snot^jnqiacnioo 

2,661,810 

125,000 

8 

QO 

1,062,260 

<£ 

Ol 

Od 

of 

5,847,500 

543,370 

759,680 

14,138,090 

Note.— 14,138,090  milreis  was  worth  on  May  31st,  1901,  §3,366.19  U.  S.  Gold. 

John  G.  Meem, 

Statistician  of  Mission. 

' 001:^01^^8000  nt 
Koqoanqo 

^ ; 

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- 

•eonojuiio 

JO  uoiitjjoasuoo 

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•sossanooBOQ-i^uijDv  JO 
‘SOSSOUOOBOCI 

Miss 

Packard, 
Act.-Deac . 

Miss  Pitts, 
Deaconess 

N 

■pooqjsai.ia 
oj  saoijBiiip.io 

- : 

- 

Clergy. 

Rt.  Rev.  Lucien  Lee 
Kinsolving,  S.T.D., 
Bishop,  Porto  Alegre. 

Rev.  Americo  Vespucio 
Cabral. 

The  Bishop. 

Rev.  A.  V.  Cabral. 

Rev.  Antonio  Machado 
de  Fraga. 

Rev.  AVilliam  Cabell 
Brown,  D.D. 

Rev.  George  Wallace  Ribble. 

1 

Rev.  John  Gaw  Meem. 

Rev.  Vicente  Brande. 

Rev.  James  Watson  Morris. 

1 Bishop. 

7 Priests. 

Other  Work 
in  Connection 
Therewith. 

English 

Congregation. 

English 

Congregation  andi 

Chapel  of  the 
Resurrection,  in 
S.  Jose. 

Chapel  of  the 
Holy  Spirit, 
in  Areal. 

Name  of  Church, 
or  Chapel,  with  Locality. 

Holy  Trinity  Chapel, 
in  Porto  Alegre, 
the  Capital. 

Grace  Church, 
Viamao. 

Calvary  Church, 
Santa  Rito  do  Rio 
dos  Sinos. 

Chapel  of  the  Saviour, 
Rio  Grande. 

Chapel  of  the  Redeemer, 
Pelotas. 

Chapel  of  the  Redemp- 
tion, Jaguarao. 

Chapel  of  the  Mediator, 
Santa  Maria. 

John  G.  Meem, 

Statistician  of  Mission. 


1 


BRAZIL  MISSIONARIES. 

THE  BRAZILIAN  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Lucien  Lee  Kinsolving,  S.T.D.,  Bishop.  (Address,  Porto  Alegre,  Rio  Grande  do 
Sul,  Brazil.) 

Standing  Committee — Clerical:  the  Rev.  James  W.  Morris.  President;  Revs.  John  G.  Meem 
and  Americo  V.  Cabral.  Lay  : Srs.  Virgilio  Reis  Boeira,  Gervasio  Moraes  Sarmento, 
Vicente  Duarte. 

Secretary  of  the  Council — Rev.  John  G.  Meem. 

Treasurer  of  the  Council — Rev.  James  W.  Morris. 

Historiographer  of  the  Council — Rev.  John  G.  Meem. 

Bishop’s  Examining  Chaplains — the  Rev.  James  W.  Morris,  the  Rev.  William  Cabell 
Brown,  D.D. 


CHCBCH  INSTITUTIONS. 


Theological  School,  Rio  Grande — Dean,  the  Rev.  William  Cabell  Brown,  D.D. 

The  Brazilian  Church  Missionary  Society,  of  which  the  Bishop  is  member,  ex-oificio,  of  the 
Executive  Committee — President,  Dr.  Joao  Rasmussen  : Secretary,  Sr.  Menandro 
Cabral  ; Treasurer,  Sr.  Alfredo  Fehn. 

The  Woman's  Auxiliary.  With  branches  in  four  parishes. 

Church  Paper,  The  Christian  Standard — Editor,  Rev.  A.  V.  Cabral. 


STATISTICS,  1901. 

Clergy  8 

Ordinations  to  Priesthood  1 

Candidates  for  Holy  Orders  3 

Postulants  2 

Deaconesses  2 

Baptisms  158 

Confirmed  97 

Communicants  488 

Communions  89 

Weddings  27 

Burials  71 

Divine  Services  935 

Sunday  School  Teachers 34 

Sunday  School  Scholars 465 

Parish  School  Teachers  3 

Parish  School  Scholars  50 

Consecration  of  Churches  1 

Church  Edifices  2 

Church  Edifices  (in  construction)  2 

Contributions  $3,366  19  in  U.  S.  Gold 

The  Third  Annual  Council  will  meet  in  the  Chapel  of  the  Redeemer,  Pelotas,  August  2. 
1901. 


THH  CLERGY. 


The  Bishop,  Porto  Alegre. 


Parishes  and  Missions. 

Churches  and 

Communicants. 

Redemption  . 

24 

Pelotas  

Redeemer 

105 

Porto  Alegre  

Holy  Trinity 

108 

Rio  Grande 

Saviour  

108 

Sao  Jose 

Resurrection  . 

Santa  Maria  

Mediator  .... 

15 

Santa  Rita  

Calvary  

102 

Viamao 

Grace  

26 

Clergy. 

Rev.  John  Gaw  Meem. 

Rev.  Vincente  Brande. 

ReC.  John  Gaw  Meem. 

Rev.  Americo  Vespucio  Cabral. 
Rev.  William  Cabell  Brown,  D.D. 
Rev.  George  Wallace  Ribble. 

Rev.  James  Watson  Morris. 

Rev.  Antonio  Machado  de  Fraga. 
Rev.  Americo  Vespucio  Cabral. 


Trinity  Church,  Porto  Alegre, 


